The National theme for 2017 National Disability Employment Awareness Month #NDEAM is "Inclusion Drives Innovation": Hiring and Retention of People with Disabilities and Targeted Disabilities. Held every October, NDEAM is an opportune time to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of persons with disabilities.

This program will introduce best practices and identify strategies on how to increase the NIH workforce of people with disabilities and targeted disabilities. This year, two panelists will address the national theme emphasizing its relevance on health and medical sciences.

The program will also introduce the "What Can You Do" campaign. This will be an on-going campaign to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities by encouraging employers and others to recognize the value and talent they bring to the workplace.